If Tom Clancy had stayed on this Earth two more days, I wonder what he'd have thought of this movie based only on his characters (not a specific book).

I also wonder if the filmmakers would rather we never knew that answer. I like the way Kevin Costner is aging into a character actor - but I'm also confused by Chris Pine. Is it me, or does it look like he still has some of that face-swelling disease left over from the first Abrams Trek?

And the beauty of directing, apparently, is that nobody gets to tell you you're not that convincing as an evil Russian.

Still, and all, looks more fun than the Harrison Ford ones. But a lot less smart. I will nerd out if Pine does the finger-point of doom, though.

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Pine was pretty much the best thing in the film (saw a sneak preview couple months ago). Wasn't impressed by the movie itself. Pretty much just serves to set up a reboot. In other words, I would like to see the character/s in the NEXT movie. But, as it stood, this one didn't do much for me at all. The story itself wasn't really that well thought out/put together - and the climax wasn't climactic. Too bad because I like Branaugh - so was surprised by the lack of quality.

1. The Harrison Ford movies were two of Ford's best films and two of the best films of the 90's. I don't care if Clancy disowned them.

2. Kevin Costner in another mentor/ (and probable) martyr role. I guess The Guardian was his transition into that market. Amusing, he does well in that capacity, I always thought he was a dullard as a leading hero type.

3. Yes, Russians are still on the oh-so-short list of politically acceptable villains. Nazi serial killer aliens will be saved for the sequel.

4. Will Chris Pine be a successful leading action male hero outside of Trek? I mean, Hollywood desperately tried to make Colin Farrell a leading man (was Total Recall their last attempt?) and is still trying with Ben Affleck, too. So I bet Pine has a few more chance if this doesn't fly.

This movie is a follower, not a leader. Looks like the producers got the rights and just tossed in Casino Royale and the first 1.5 Matt Damon Bourne movies. I have never been stunned by Branagh's directing, or his acting, he's middle of the road at both, and this re enforces that. Also the idea of the Russian antagonist is really played out at this point, some could even say it's PC run amok like what happened to the Affleck as Jack Ryan movie where they white washed the terrorists. If this was more in the same tone as The Hunt for Red October, but this trailer scratches that out of existence. I guess cerebral spy thrillers are not profitable enough. Damn shame.

I think that Tom Clancy would not approve. But too late to ask him now.

@kenpo17 I hate New Kirk too, but I don't blame Pine. New Spock is written basically as Old Spock, but the two Kirks are vastly different for some reason. I can't buy New Kirk as a captain even slightly, but Pine is actually pretty good with the light humor as Kirk. Too bad Kirk, except for a few instances, isn't supposed to be funny.

(Actually just saw Into Darkness last night, so I figured I'd work in my opinion of it somewhere today.)